Anemia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Anemia, including details on symptoms, diagnosis, diet, treatment, causes.

Childhood anemia prevalence and associated factors in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Assis AM, Barreto ML, Gomes GS, Prado Mda S, Santos NS, Santos LM, Sampaio LR, Ribeiro Rde C, Oliveira LP, Oliveira VA

Escola de Nutrição, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. amos@ufba.br

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1996 to estimate the prevalence of anemia in a stratified sample of 603 preschool children and identify factors associated with the disease. Hemoglobin assays were conducted in finger-prick blood samples using a Hemocue hemoglobinometer. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin below 11.0 g/dl. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the potential associations. Observed anemia prevalence was 46.3%. Associated factors were: the 6-12-month and 12-24-month age brackets, the lowest tertiles for iron density and protein content dietary intake, and any degree of deficit in the height-for-age anthropometric parameter. Inadequate physical, sanitary, and environmental conditions in the home were associated with a significantly increased risk of anemia. Anemia constitutes an important health problem in this study's child population. Improvements in living conditions and dietary quality could contribute to a reduction in anemia prevalence.

Published 20 December 2004 in Cad Saude Publica, 20(6): 1633-41.
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